warns

US-Iran ceasefire holds as Tehran warns Washington against attacks on tankers and Israel kills 24 people in Lebanon.

BRITISH Airways passengers face higher fares after its parent company warned rising oil prices will add about £1.72billion to its fuel bill this year.

International Airlines Group (IAG), which also owns Iberia and Aer Lingus, said it expects to pass on part of the extra cost through ticket prices, with business class and other premium long-haul passengers among those most likely to be affected.

Chief executive Luis Gallego said airlines need to increase fares to help offset fuel costs, which make up about a quarter of their spending.

The rise follows disruption linked to the Middle East conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries about a fifth of the world’s oil and gas shipments.

IAG warned the crisis could deepen if the strait remains blocked, with global jet fuel supplies potentially restricted.

However, the group said it does not expect any disruption to summer fuel supplies.

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Mr Gallego said there is less jet fuel coming from the Middle East, but there are “other places with record supply” such as the US.

He said IAG has been “planning for situations like this for many years”, and has invested in its own jet fuel supply at its “main hubs”.

The company recorded a pre-tax profit of £365million during the three months to the end of March.

That was a 76.6% increase from £207million a year earlier.

The group now expects its annual fuel bill to reach £7.78billion.

Mr Gallego attributed the firm’s “strong first quarter” to “continued strong demand for our networks and airline brands”.

He added: “IAG is uniquely positioned to navigate the current headwinds created by the Middle East conflict thanks to our leading positions across diverse markets, strong brands, structurally high margins and strong balance sheet, as well as a strong track record of execution.”

IAG said about 3% of its capacity was “exposed to the Gulf region” at the start of the war on February 28, mostly with British Airways flights.

A large part of this has been redeployed, including boosting capacity at destinations where there are now fewer flights by Middle East carriers such as Bangkok, Singapore and the Maldives.

British Airways has also announced additional flights this summer on routes with higher demand for direct flights, such as India and Nairobi.

There are some beautiful walks across the UK, but one can easily compare to a fairy tale scene, with four magnificent waterfalls to admire and winding pathways through woodland

One of the most popular UK walks passes by towering waterfalls and through enchanting woodland, but there’s one thing that nobody warns you about.

The UK is a haven for hikes, from climbing the highest mountain in the Scottish Highlands, to rambling alongside glacial ribbon lakes in the Lake District, to walking the Cotswold Way through charming villages. Not to mention the abundance of coastal trails, woodland, mountains, rivers, moorland and rolling hills that make up the UK’s varied terrain.

Some of the most striking landscapes, with varied rambling routes, can be found in the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park in South Wales, formerly known as the Brecon Beacons. The 520-square-mile protected area is famed for its dramatic mountains, including Pen y Fan, its highest peak, deep valleys and waterfalls that make up its atmospheric backdrop.

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During a weekend escape to the National Park, I took on one of the most popular walking routes, The Four Waterfalls Walk, which has often been cited as one of the best hiking experiences in Wales. The circular trail is in the Bannau Brycheiniog area, known as Waterfall Country, and passes by four magnificent waterfalls: Sgwd Clun-Gwyn, Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn, Sgwd y Pannwr, and Sgwd yr Eira.

I parked at Gwaun Hepste car park (CF44 9JB) with portable loos and picnic benches, for £5 a day, which meant the route would take me around 5.5 miles (9 km) and roughly four hours. However, for those who would prefer a little more luxury, the Cwm Porth car park (CF44 9JE) has fully equipped toilets, a small shop and a visitor information centre, for £5 a day, and offers a slightly shorter route.

I set out on the walk on a welcoming, clear morning in Wales and followed the easy-to-navigate signs through woodland paths with grounds covered in bluebells. There were steady slopes passing towering trees before the terrain evened out for a gentle stroll to the first towering waterfall, Sgwd Clun-Gwyn.

This was perhaps the easiest waterfall to approach, with a short, pebbled woodland path to the cliff edge, where I could look down on the River Mellte gushing from the rugged, moss-covered rocks, which felt like a Jurassic Park backdrop. Some visitors were even brave enough to walk along the cliff edge to the tumbling water, but that wasn’t for me.

Instead, I continued on my trail and listened to the hum of the woodland, birds swooping from the tree tops, and the gentle chatter from fellow ramblers. Before the hike took an adventurous turn.

I found myself walking down steep wooden steps, along muddy terrain, across big stones, and over a wooden plank, which caught me off guard after my former amble along woodland paths. Yet it was well worth the descent.

I was met with a river flowing through carved out rocks, where people sat for a pit stop, and two waterfalls, the Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn and Sgwd y Pannwr. Thankfully, it was a short walk from these waterfalls, and relatively flat, with giant stepping stones and some slippery rocks to climb to witness the plunging waters of Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn, which really felt as though I had stepped into a fairy tale storybook.

Just when I thought my legs had taken enough steps for one day, I encountered the precipitous route to the last waterfall, Sgwd yr Eira. The steep steps, of around 170, zig-zagged down through the enchanting forest before eventually emerging at the bottom of the majestic waterfall, which was certainly the most impressive and popular amongst them all.

I spent time admiring the curtain of cascading water as it poured into the river, and thought it was one of the most incredible waterfalls I had ever seen. But what truly sets this apart is the ability to walk underneath the waterfall, which I certainly wasn’t going to miss out on, even if I had to carefully watch my foot placement on the wet surface.

It was surreal to find myself just inches away from the gushing water and its mist in an experience I won’t forget in a hurry. Needless to say, it was well worth the climb down more than 200 steps during my hike on the iconic trail, including the ones on the way back up, albeit a challenge.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

A MAJOR airline boss has said that the ongoing fuel crisis is causing more problems than Covid did.

AirAsia chief executive Tony Fernandes said the quick increase in jet fuel overnight was “much worse”.

He told the FT: “I thought I’d seen it all with Covid but having seen jet fuel go up almost three times – this is much worse.

“You wake up one day and your major cost has tripled – it was quite a new experience for me and I’ve been through a lot in my life.”

This was backed by the Chancellor of Germany earlier this year who said if it continues, it would affect the European economy as “heavy as we recently experienced during the Covid pandemic”.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz since March has already caused problems for airlines, due to shortages of fuel.

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Airlines have been forced to cancel thousands of seats, with European airlines such as Lufthansa and Scandinavian Airlines already scrapping routes this month.

Globally, major airlines such as United, Cathay Pacific and Emirates have all reduced capacity as well.

Data from Cirium estimated that there were two million fewer seats on sale in May compared to predicted.

American budget airline Spirit Airlines was even forced into administration, citing the higher jet fuel costs as a major cause.

Thankfully, UK airlines are yet to be massively affected, with most tour operators confirming that holidays are still going ahead as planned.

The only disruption is to the Middle East with destinations like Dubai still on the travel ban list.

On The Beach has even launched a new initiative for travellers this summer, where, if their flight is cancelled, they will get a refund on the same day.

However, Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary warned that unless fuel prices dropping, airlines are at risk of failing this summer.

According to Politico, he said: “If pricing stays higher for longer this summer, we think a number of our airline competitors in Europe are going to face real financial difficulties. I think there will be failures.”

To protect passengers from last minute travel chaos, the Department for Transport has also revealed new measures which will allow airlines to cancel flights up to two weeks in advance, without losing their airport slots.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said it would “give families long-term certainty and avoid unnecessary disruption at the departure gate this summer.”

But Which? Travel Editor Rory Boland warned: “Many passengers will understand that disruptions can occur and may be happy to travel a few hours or a day later.

“But for those on short trips or connecting flights it could mean the trip is no longer worthwhile.”

Published on
06/05/2026 – 15:39 GMT+2

The surge in jet fuel prices has become a primary concern for the European travel industry, with Lufthansa finding itself at the centre of this crisis.

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According to Lufthansa’s latest earnings report, the airline expects an additional €1.7 billion ($2bn) fuel cost burden in 2026 as soaring jet fuel prices continue to weigh on the industry.

The need to avoid certain airspaces has led to longer flight times, which naturally increases consumption. These adjusted routes also require more staff hours and higher maintenance cycles, adding layers of complexity to an already strained global supply chain.

As reported by Euronews, global airlines have already cancelled approximately 13,000 flights this May, while Lufthansa alone has axed 20,000 short-haul flights through to October in a bid to cut fuel consumption.

This reduction in capacity is a direct response to the unsustainable cost of operating older, less fuel-efficient aircraft during price peaks.

While Lufthansa has managed to stay profitable, the jet fuel price spikes have forced the firm to advise passengers to book their holidays as early as possible to avoid further surcharges.

The company is currently investing heavily in its “fleet modernisation” programme to mitigate these risks in the long term, though the immediate impact of fuel volatility continues to weigh on the balance sheet.

Lufthansa remains committed to its financial targets, but the volatility of the global oil market remains the largest variable in its 2026 outlook.

“We are satisfied with the first quarter […] at the same time, the current situation compels us to rigorously examine every lever available to reduce costs, improve efficiency and mitigate risks in order to maintain our ability to act decisively. Our annual profit will likely be lower than originally anticipated,” CFO Till Streichert stated.

The Lufthansa Group has announced a landmark financial performance, revealing that it generated the highest revenue in its history in 2025. Revenue rose by 5% compared with the previous year to €39.6 billion.

According to the latest figures, the airline group also saw its operating profit grow by 20% compared with 2024, highlighting a robust recovery in passenger demand.

In the first quarter of 2026, year-on-year revenue climbed 8% despite challenges linked to the conflict involving Iran, including €1.7 billion in additional costs caused by volatile jet fuel prices and the suspension of dozens of routes.

The firm kept its capacity broadly stable with slight growth in long-haul traffic compensating for capacity reductions in short and medium-haul segments.

Lufthansa Technik and Lufthansa Cargo also significantly contributed to earnings with demand for maintenance, repair and overhaul services increasing, as well as through the marketing of ITA Airways’ cargo space.

Global demand for air travel remains high and continues to prove resilient even in times of crisis, as Lufthansa Group again expects a strong summer travel season.

“In the first quarter, we significantly improved on the previous year’s financial results […] but the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, combined with rising fuel costs and operational constraints, poses enormous challenges for the world as a whole, for global air travel and for our company as well,” CEO Carsten Spohr stated.

“However, we are resilient in our ability to absorb these impacts. This applies both to our above-average hedging against fuel price fluctuations and to our multi-hub, multi-airline strategy, which provides us with greater flexibility in our route network and fleet development,” Spohr added.

May 5 (UPI) — Iran warned Tuesday that it was “just getting started” after its military clashed with U.S. forces attempting to guide commercial vessels marooned in the Persian Gulf out through the Strait of Hormuz.

Mohammad Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, signaling Iran’s intention to exploit the United States’ need for a timely resolution to the conflict, said Iran was digging in for an extended fight that it was prepared to keep going for as long as necessary.

“The new equation in the Strait of Hormuz is being solidified. Shipping security and energy transit have been jeopardized by the U.S. and its allies with the cease-fire violations and blockade. However, their evil acts will fail. We know well that the continuation of the status quo is intolerable for America, while we are just getting started,” said Ghalibaf.

Speaking at a news briefing at the Pentagon on Tuesday morning, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appeared to try to de-escalate the situation, stressing that the mission to free trapped merchant ships was a short-term, defensive operation purely aimed at providing protection for the hundreds of vessels he said “are lining up to transit.”

“Project Freedom is defensive in nature, focused in scope and temporary in duration, with one mission, protecting innocent commercial shipping from Iranian aggression. American forces won’t need to enter Iranian waters or airspace. It’s not necessary. We’re not looking for a fight,” he said.

However, echoing threats made by U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday night, Hegseth said that Iran “will face overwhelming firepower” if it attacks commercial shipping and that he expected other countries to “step up” to protect the strategically important sea lane “at the appropriate time.”

Day one of Trump’s Project Freedom on Monday saw Iran claim it fired on U.S. naval vessels approaching the strait, forcing one to turn around, while Trump said U.S. forces sank seven Iranian navy “fast boats,” prompting Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to dub the effort “Project Deadlock,” warning that the conflict could only be resolved through compromise.

The UAE also said it was targeted with Iranian missiles and drones for the first time since a cease-fire came into force April 9, blaming the attacks for a fire in its Fujairah Oil Industry Zone in which three people were injured.

“Events in Hormuz make clear that there’s no military solution to a political crisis. As talks are making progress with Pakistan’s gracious effort, the U.S. should be wary of being dragged back into a quagmire by ill-wishers. So should the UAE,” said Araghchi.

The comments came hours after Trump threatened to blow Iran “off the face of the Earth’ if it attacked U.S. vessels involved in Project Freedom.

U.S. Central Command said no U.S. Navy ships had taken fire while Iran rejected as “outright lies,” claims by CENTCOM that two U.S.-flagged merchant vessels “successfully transited through the Strait of Hormuz and are safely headed on their journey.”

EastEnders’ Ronni Ancona has warned that a “deeply malevolent” storyline will become “so much darker” for Honey and Billy as Bea “blacks out with anger” and “spirals”

EastEnders‘ Honey Mitchell is about to be put in danger, as creepy Bea Pollard finally snaps. According to star Ronni Ancona, Bea’s life in Walford is about to come crashing down, leading to a “deeply malevolent” atmosphere that will get “so much darker” for Honey.

Over the past few months, Bea has wormed her way into Honey’s (Emma Barton) life. She’s living in Honey’s house, buying the exact same clothes as her friend and has even taken out a credit card in her name.

As Honey and her husband Billy (Perry Fenwick) become more and more suspicious of Bea, Ronni says that her character is set to “spiral” – and it won’t be good for Honey.

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“It’s going to get so much darker for Honey and Billy. I would say that Bea increasingly spirals, and she becomes more dangerous as a result,” Ronni says.

She adds: “I think Bea almost blacks out with anger. There is something in her that switches when she is triggered, and at that point her actions become deeply malevolent.

“I think there’s a really interesting point here that she is very desperate. She knows time is running out for her, and I think that fuels her. It’s like a warped sense of self-preservation. I think she is horribly lonely, and I think it’s catastrophically damaging for her. She sees in Honey a chance of something real, and she’s not ready to give it up.”

Honey is set to find out about the credit card Bea has gotten and the enormous debt it has put Honey in. Ronni explains that Bea will initially try to get herself off the hook, but ultimately has to admit that what she did was wrong. Honey is just about to give in when Billy arrives home and orders Bea to leave.

Bea hasn’t liked Billy for a while, and some wondered if she had nefarious plans to replace him in Honey’s life. But Ronni has insisted that while Bea “loves Honey too much”, it’s not romantic and Bea’s dislike of Billy actually comes from how he can “see through her”.

“She finds him coarse, and she doesn’t respect him,” Ronni says. “I think initially she did, because she didn’t want to replace Billy; she wanted to be part of that family unit, and that’s all she wanted. But, I think the tide changed towards Billy for Bea when she realised he was not going to let that happen.

“He’s now in Bea’s way and all of this had added to fuel to her situation with Billy. In addition, the biggest thing for Bea is she knows that Billy can see right through her. That’s why she can’t stand Billy. Billy is a perfectly nice, hard-working guy who just wants a simple life with his family, but he can see through her, and therefore he’s a problem. “

But what about Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt)? For the past couple of weeks, Bea and Ian have been dating, and she has thrown herself into getting him elected as a councillor for Walford. She seems intent on being his Mrs, but Ian is not so invested in the relationship.

Ronni says: “I tragically think she is alarmingly ecstatic about the very small steps in her relationship. This is quite Bea. She is a comic, tragic character, but her strange, warped optimism knows no bounds. Bea has this element of being an excited child, and she’s a bit of a dreamer like a Blanche Dubois character, and I think she has always imagined herself in a position and situation like this. It suits her just perfectly. Even though she’s gone through such terrible times, and is constantly rejected, this is a little clink of light.”

So how will she react when the newly minted Councillor Beale breaks up with her? “Bea switches so quickly. She’s mercurial, and she can’t seem to regulate her emotions. Bea suddenly gets very angry very quickly instead of processing the situation.

“She suddenly becomes vengeful about the situation with Ian. I do think Ian is a little hasty in his rejection of Bea. Evidently, I’ve heard that Bea is the only person who has been rejected, soundly, by every person in Walford!”

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

Raman Kapoor, an Indian oil tanker captain stranded in the Gulf, says no vessel will attempt to exit the Strait of Hormuz without assurance of safety, despite the announcement of a US evacuation plan for ships stranded by the war.

Iran protests as Trump announces ‘Project Freedom’ to escort stranded ships out of the Strait of Hormuz.

US president says he is considering the 14-point peace plan, but warns strikes could resume if Tehran ‘misbehaves’.

United States President Donald Trump has said he is reviewing Iran’s 14-point proposal to end his war on the country, while warning that Washington could restart air strikes if Tehran “misbehaves”.

Speaking to reporters in Florida before boarding Air Force One on Saturday, Trump confirmed that he had been briefed on the “concept of the deal”.

Despite the diplomatic opening, the US president struck a characteristically blunt tone regarding the possibility of renewed hostilities, which have been paused since the announcement of a ceasefire between the sides on April 7.

“If they do something bad, there is a possibility it could happen,” Trump said when asked if strikes would resume.

Trump added that the US was “doing very well” and claimed that Iran was desperate for a settlement because the country had been “decimated” by months of conflict and a naval blockade.

In a post on Truth Social later, Trump said it was difficult to imagine that the Iranian proposal would be acceptable as Tehran had “not yet paid a big enough price for what they have done to Humanity, and the World, over the last 47 years.”

Tehran’s 14-point plan reportedly calls for the lifting of the US naval blockade, war reparations, and the release of all frozen assets.

It also seeks a 30-day window to finalise the terms of their peace, a timeline at odds with Washington’s preference for a longer transition.

The diplomatic push comes amid a fragile three-week truce that has put a pause on the US-Israel war on Iran, which began in late February.

Despite the ceasefire, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Saturday that it remains on “full standby” for a return to hostilities, citing the US’s lack of commitment to previous treaties.

Tensions have been further stoked by Trump’s recent characterisation of the US naval blockade as a “very profitable business”.

Tehran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs seized on the remarks, labelling them a “damning admission of piracy”.

The impasse is further complicated by technical obstacles to reopening the Strait of Hormuz, including the presence of Iranian sea mines, and a growing rift with NATO allies following Trump’s decision to withdraw 5,000 US troops from Germany.

May 2 (UPI) — The United States has started warning allies that delivery of weapons systems are likely to be delayed because stockpiles have been drained during the war in Iran.

The Department of Defense has warned several allies in Europe — including the United Kingdom, Poland, Norway and Estonia — that there will be delivery delays for several missile systems, Breaking Defense and The Financial Times reported.

The delays, which may also spread to deliveries to Asian allies, have been linked to growing concerns about the numbers of U.S. weapons used since the war in Iran started.

Concerns have also come up as to whether lower stockpiles could affect the United States’ ability to defend itself and its allies.

The Department of Defense already has been relocating weapons from bases in other parts of the world both to the U.S. stockpile and for use in the Iran war, which President Donald Trump noted on Friday.

“All over the world, we have inventory,” he said. “And we can take that if we need it.”

Among the weapons systems that could be affected are the HIMARS and NASAMS missile systems, shortages of which were reported in Estonia and Norway in April.

The president of Finland also said in recent days that some U.S. weapons stockpiles normally stored in the country have been rerouted, which lines up with Trump’s comments yesterday.

In Asia, Japan and South Korea are reportedly bracing for delays beyond the ones it already has not received, including Patriot missile interceptors and Tomahawk cruise missiles.

Delays that have already happened, and the potential for more, could affect foreign nations’ reliance on weapons manufactured by the United States, experts have said.

“Japan already was deeply frustrated with delivery delays for systems they have paid for,” former Pentagon official Christopher Johnstone told the Financial Times.

“This reality will drive Japan, South Korea and other allies to focus more heavily on indigenous and non-American options, even in areas where U.S. equipment is clearly superior,” he said.

The reports of delays come after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday told members of the Senate Arms Services Committee that he is aware of concerns about the stockpile after two months of an intense campaign in Iran.

In response to questions about the Pentagon’s request for a nearly 50% increase in its budget, Hegseth noted that some of the increase is because of weapons used during the war, and that it could take “months and years” to fully replenish the stockpile.

Trump has asked defense companies to “quadruple” their manufacturing pace, but there are limits to how much production can be sped up, according to industry experts.

Chris Harrington, managing director at travel transfer company hoppa, has outlined what to do to give yourself the best chance at recovering your valuables, or, at least, getting some compensation for the loss

One of the most common travel nightmare scenarios tourists face is having their luggage go missing after a flight.

Mishandling checked-in bags costs airlines around £4.2 billion a year, according to aviation technology company SITA. If you’re one of the unlucky ones who ends up not finding your suitcase on the conveyor belt, here are the seven steps to take immediately, according to an expert.

Chris Harrington, managing director at travel transfer company hoppa, has outlined what to do to give yourself the best chance at recovering your valuables, or, at least, getting some compensation for the loss.

The most important thing, he says, is to act fast. He says: “Ultimately, the faster and more informed your response is, the better your chances of recovering your bag or at least getting clear updates on where it is.”

Chris advises heading straight to the airline’s service desk near baggage reclaim if you notice a missing bag – stressing that delays can reduce the chances of locating your bag quickly.

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From then on, it’s important to have your baggage tag and flight details ready, as they will help staff begin tracking your suitcase straight away.

You should also be as specific as you can when describing the missing item. “Details matter. Think about the colour, size, brand, and any distinguishing features like stickers or tags. Even better, show photos if you have them,” Chris continued.

And once your case is all documented and reported, never forget to ask for a Property Irregularity Report, or PIR number, as it is “essential for tracking your luggage and for any future claims.”

In the meantime, most airlines try not to leave customers empty-handed. “Some carriers will provide an allowance for essentials like clothes and toiletries,” Chris notes. “If they don’t, keep every receipt, as you may be able to claim those costs back later.”

Another essential step is to contact insurance companies early on, since many policies include cover for delayed luggage after 12 to 24 hours, but the expert recommends being prepared and checking exactly what evidence they require. If, after several days, nothing is found, it’s crucial not to give up.

“You should be following up regularly,” Harrington advises, adding that “after 21 days, luggage is officially considered lost under international guidelines.”

Thats the stage in which travellers are encouraged to put forward a formal claim – according to the Montreal Convention, which sets out airline liability in such cases.

Chris highlights that passengers may then be entitled to compensation of up to around £1,300 if they provide the right documentation.

To claim that sum, “you’ll need proof of your luggage and what was inside it. The more evidence you have, the stronger your claim.”

Latest warning comes as Iranian state media reports Tehran has presented new peace proposal to US.

The United States has warned that any shippers paying tolls or other fees to Iran for passage through the Strait of Hormuz risk being sanctioned.

The warning on Friday comes as a US naval blockade of the strait continued for its third week, amid stalled US-Iran ceasefire talks. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has called the ongoing siege on the country’s ports “intolerable”.

Iran’s influence over, and ability to effectively close, the Strait of Hormuz emerged as a key point of leverage shortly after the US and Israel began launching attacks on Iran on February 28.

About one-fifth of the global crude oil and liquefied natural gas maritime shipments pass through the arterial waterway.

In its past proposals to end the war, Iran has proposed charging fees or tolls for vessels seeking to pass through the state. Washington has repeatedly rejected the prospect.

The advisory from the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control said Iran may offer shippers fiat currency, digital assets, offsets, informal swaps, or other in-kind payments.

It said those also included payments framed as charitable donations, including to the Iranian Red Crescent Society, Bonyad Mostazafan, or Iranian embassy accounts.

“OFAC is issuing ‌this alert to warn US and non-US persons about the sanctions risks of making these payments to, or soliciting ‌guarantees ‌from, the Iranian regime for safe passage,” it said.

“These risks exist regardless of payment method,” it said.

Both the government of Iran and the International Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) remain under US sanctions.

The advisory on Friday came as Iranian state media reported that Tehran had sent a new proposal for a lasting ceasefire to the Trump administration.

A White House spokesperson said it does not “detail private diplomatic conversations”, declining to confirm receipt of the proposal.

The spokesperson, Anna Kelly, added that “Trump has been clear that Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon, and negotiations continue to ensure the short- and long-term national security of the United States”.

Both sides have largely halted attacks since reaching a tentative agreement to pause fighting on April 7. Trump has repeatedly threatened to resume attacks amid the stalled negotiations.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday that Tehran remains open to diplomacy with the US if Washington alters its “expansionist approach” and “threatening rhetoric”.

British Airways has enforced stricter rules for passengers, including a habit that is now banned, and if failed to comply, the airline may take ‘any measures’ necessary to stop it

British Airways has enforced stricter rules for passengers about a behaviour that could see them removed from the aircraft.

In a world of influencers and content creators, using smartphones on planes has become increasingly popular, with many opting to capture every moment of their journey in photos or videos. Even holidaymakers without a mega social media following often snap their experience on board.

While it might seem like a relatively harmless act, it can actually land travellers in serious trouble, whether they’re a content creator or not. British Airways has updated its terms for passengers on board, introducing stricter guidelines on taking photos and videos.

In an update under section 11a on its ‘behaviour on the aircraft’ conditions, the airline stated: “If, while you are on board the aircraft, we reasonably believe that you have filmed, live-streamed or photographed our crew or other colleagues without their consent, we may take any measures we think reasonable to prevent you continuing your behaviour.”

They further outlined that if passengers fail to comply with these rules, they could be asked to leave the aircraft, upon landing, or be refused carriage on the remaining sectors of the journey shown on their ticket. Additionally, it could also result in the incident on board being reported to relevant authorities “with a view to them prosecuting” the passenger for any criminal offences that might have been committed.

BA also noted that if diversion costs are a result of unacceptable behaviour, and they divert the plane to an “unscheduled place of destination” and make a passenger leave the aircraft, the traveller will have to pay the “reasonable and proper costs of the diversion”.

However, this doesn’t mean that passengers are completely banned from taking photos while on board. They can still grab a snap of their seat, view out of the window, cabin features, meals, drinks and any other personal highlights – as long as they don’t directly film a member of cabin crew without their consent.

This is the same rule for taking photos or videos of other passengers while on board without their consent. So as long as holidaymakers are wary of their surroundings and what they’re capturing, they can still document their journey, be it for social media or a personal travel album.

BA isn’t the only airline to enforce these rules, banning photos of cabin crew without consent. Ryanair states in its terms and conditions: “Recording or photographing our personnel, whether at the airport or onboard the plane, without their consent is strictly prohibited. Only recordings or photographs personal to you may be permitted.”

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

A travel expert has shared the specific seats that passengers repeatedly regret choosing

Booking a flight is often a crucial element of holiday planning, yet there’s one detail that frequently gets overlooked. Where you sit on the aircraft might not seem particularly significant at first glance, but if you’re embarking on a long-haul journey, you could well end up regretting your seat selection.

Seasoned travellers will attest that choosing the wrong seat can quietly derail your entire flight. Whether it’s being left without meal options, battling to get comfortable, or enduring non-stop disturbances, your seat can fundamentally shape your experience at 30,000 feet.

With this in mind, Andrea Platania, travel expert at airport transfer platform Transfeero, has disclosed that there are several seats passengers consistently regret selecting – and they’re not always the obvious culprits.

11A and 11F

The first pair of seats Andrea cautions against are 11A and 11F. He explains: “Seats like 11A and 11F are often overlooked when people are booking, but they’re right in that middle section of the aircraft where you lose a lot of the small conveniences.

“They don’t seem bad on paper, but in practice, they’re some of the least rewarding seats to be in.”

Given that cabin crew generally begin service from either end of the aircraft, passengers in these seats may discover that popular snacks, meals or even beverages have already sold out by the time the trolley arrives at their row.

On top of this, you’re positioned quite a distance from the lavatory, and manoeuvring in and out of these seats can prove awkward.

30E and 30F

“Seats like 30E and 30F are usually located very close to the toilets, and that brings a lot of disruption,” says Andrea. “It’s not just about proximity, it’s about the constant movement around you.”

He added: “You’ll often have passengers queuing in the aisle, standing near your seat, and moving back and forth. It can feel like you’re sitting in a corridor rather than in your own space.”

30A and 30F

The primary concern with these seats is comfort, especially when it comes to stretching out and reclining. “On many aircraft, seats towards the back, such as 30A and 30F, can have limited or no recline,” Andrea explains.

“That’s something people often only realise once they try to lean back and it doesn’t move. If you’re on a flight where you’re hoping to rest or even just sit comfortably, not being able to recline makes a big difference. You end up feeling much more tired by the time you land.”

Those seated in these positions are also likely to be amongst the very last passengers to disembark the plane, which could spell trouble if you’re in a hurry to catch a connecting flight.

April 29 (Asia Today) — China expressed opposition Wednesday to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s “free and open Indo-Pacific” initiative, calling it an attempt to promote bloc confrontation.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian made the remarks at a regular briefing in response to reports that Takaichi may present a revised Indo-Pacific strategy during a visit to Vietnam this weekend.

“Exchanges between countries should not target a third party or harm the interests of a third party,” Lin said. “Japan uses the slogan of being ‘free and open,’ but in reality it is stirring up confrontation between camps and creating a small, exclusive group.”

Lin said such actions run counter to the shared desire of regional countries and the international community for peace, development and cooperation.

“They will be difficult to win support,” he said.

According to Japan’s Foreign Ministry, Takaichi is scheduled to visit Hanoi on Friday and meet with To Lam, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, and Prime Minister Le Minh Hung.

Diplomatic sources in Beijing said the talks are expected to focus on strengthening the two countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership, including in economic security fields such as energy, critical minerals and science and technology.

Takaichi is also expected to deliver a speech outlining Japan’s foreign policy direction, including its Indo-Pacific strategy, around the time of the meetings.

— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

© Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.

Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260429010009593

The general in charge of keeping the United States Marine Corps sustained in a fight dismisses the notion that China poses a near-peer threat to the U.S. It’s far more serious and will make the currently paused conflict with Iran pale by comparison should the two superpowers come to blows, said Lt. Gen. Stephen Sklenka, the USMC Deputy Commandant for Installations and Logistics. 

“There is no threat that looms larger than the People’s Republic of China,” Sklenka said during the 2026 Modern Day Marine Expo in Washington, D.C.. “Don’t listen to this garbage about them being a near peer. They’re a peer because they rival us in nearly every single measure of national influence.”

As the “lead strategist” and former Deputy Commander of U.S. IndoPacom, Sklenka said he “got to be pretty familiar with how General Secretary Xi was thinking and what his intentions are.”

The Chinese leader’s “vision is to upend the international structure [and] supplant us as the global leaders. And in many ways, it’s been Xi’s thinking, his vision, that has helped my own thinking about the demands of modern warfare, particularly when waged in the Pacific and particularly waged against a peer adversary, something that’s new to all of us.”

Epic Fury offers some sobering lessons, Sklenka noted. While the U.S. is able to pour forces into theater via uncontested skies and largely uncontested seas, Iran was still able to inflict a great deal of pain on America and its allies during the fighting. It still is economically through an ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz. A fight with China would be far worse, Sklenka cautioned.

“We’re about two months into combat operations with Epic Fury. We’ve got service members who have tragically been wounded and killed by Iran. They’ve launched hundreds of drones and ballistic missiles at our bases and our allies throughout the region – Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan – reinforcing the point that the bases that we have, they’re no longer administrative garrison sanctuaries. We really need to start looking at our bases as war fighting formations, just as critical of a war fighting formation as our divisions, wings and [Marine Expeditionary Units] MEUs.”

We’ll talk more about that later in this story.

You can see damage to U.S. bases in the Middle East in the following satellite images.

Iran has “illustrated how a mid-tier power can hold a significantly superior force at risk” Sklenka suggested. “As a learning organization, we ask ourselves, ‘how do we carry every lesson from this fight forward, and how do we ensure that we’re equally prepared to dominate the conflict with China?’”

“Think about the complexities and complications that we’re [facing] with Iran, and then ask yourself, ‘how are we going to respond and act when we’re going up against a nation that’s number two in national GDP?’” he added. “The fact is that Iran doesn’t have anywhere near China’s economic might. They don’t have their industrial base. They certainly don’t have their military modernization trajectory.”

“Over the last 10 to 15 years, the Chinese manufacturing base has been out-producing us” Sklenka posited. “Xi is on a wartime footing. There’s no doubt about that. It’s underpinned by an industrial base that’s out producing the world in ships and steel, precious minerals and satellites, munitions.”

China’s “shipbuilding capacity is reported to be 230 times the capacity that the United States has,” the general continued. “They more than doubled their nuclear powered submarine construction, their arsenal of ballistic and cruise missiles is undergoing a rapid expansion.”

First made-in-China aircraft carrier, the Shandong, enters service

“Their nuclear stockpile is the fastest growing in the world. They’re pursuing innovative, intelligentized warfare tactics,” Sklenka pointed out. “They’re using artificial intelligence, drone swarms, exploring the cognitive and innovative domains to achieve their dominance. They’re building a military design to dominate the Pacific, and I believe ultimately beyond the Pacific.”

China’s intent, Sklenka added, “is clear. They want to regain that self-identified moniker of the Middle Kingdom, and they want to resume what they believe is their rightful place in the world. They’re not interested in sharing that position with us or with anybody else. General Secretary Xi’s view is that it’s their time, and this is the context. I bring that all up for our transformation.”

“None of us in uniform today have ever had to operate in a world where a legitimate peer simultaneously contests us in every single domain,” said Sklenka. “We are talking terrestrially and non-terrestrially, kinetically and non-kinetically. We’re going to have to fight to get to that fight, and we’re going to have to embrace these challenges and not operate under the auspices of how we did in the 80s and 90s. History is proven, and our current operations are confirmed, that the society that can project and sustain power and sustain their forces most effectively, ultimately, they prevail.”

Looking to the future, Sklenka echoed warnings that TWZ has made for years about the vulnerability of U.S. military installations, both home and abroad. No increases in magazine depth, additional weapons systems or advancements with AI and other new technologies will ultimately matter “if you can’t get off the installation in the first place,” he stated. “The ability to mobilize and deploy is underpinned by the readiness of our installations. It’s a concept that we’re just now really starting to wrestle with.”

“Our bases, posts and stations…are the front lines of decisive terrain. And I’m not just talking about those in the first island chain. This isn’t just [Marine Corps Installations Pacific] MCIPAC. Our CONUS installations are subject to non-kinetic attacks. Non kinetic-attacks, they’re going to be just as debilitating and just as strategically consequential as any kinetic attack that’s going to be out there. And they’re going to carry an air of non-attrition that’s designed to both confuse decision makers and sow chaos during the most critical phases of the fight, the beginning, the first shots of that next war.”

That first salvo, Sklenka said, is most likely not going to be delivered by a missile or bomber.

“They’re likely not going to be fired in the South China Sea or in the Taiwan Strait,” he explained. “They’re going to be a cyber attack against a power grid on our base, a disinformation campaign targeting military families or a drone swarm coming off one of our installations.”

The localized drone attack concern is exactly what TWZ has long predicted and became a reality last year in Russia and Iran. Last June, Ukraine launched Operation Spider Web, an audacious near-field attack on Russian air bases, destroying a large number of strategic bombers with remotely operated drones set up in trucks placed near those installations.

Spider Web was followed about two weeks later by an operation Israel carried out, using drones pre-positioned inside Iran to attack the Islamic Republic’s air defenses.

You can see video of one attack during Operation Spider Web below.

AIRLINES across Europe could collapse by September if the fuel crisis continues, the boss of Wizz Air has warned.

The ongoing war in Iran has seen the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest shipping routes.

This has meant a shortage in fuel, including jet fuel, which has resulted in prices per barrel doubling in price.

Wizz Air chief executive József Váradi has since warned that airlines will be forced into closing if the prices remain high.

He told the Telegraph: “Airlines go bust two times a year, in September and February [and] airlines with weak liquidity positions will come under immense pressure in September time.

“At the moment, all airlines are selling against summer demand, which is the highest-priced capacity during the year – but you run out of steam by the end of June.”

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He added that airlines will be fine during summer as they are “making money” due to demand.

However, he said that winter was not the same, which will see a “flood of capacity removed” in September and October.

In the worst chaos scenario – which he called an “Armageddon situation,” Wizz Air could cancel up to 30 per cent of flights.

Lots of airlines have already cancelled flights in recent weeks.

This includes: 

• Lufthansa – 20,000 cancelled up to September
• United – around 250 a month cancelled
• Air New Zealand – around 1,000 cancelled
• Scandinavian Airlines – around 1,000 cancelled
• KLM – 160 cancelled
• Cathay Pacific – two per cent of flights up to June 30

Here are what all the other UK airlines are saying about the fuel crisis.

AN AIRLINE that recently axed flights has warned Brits to expect more cancellations in the future.

Earlier this month, Norse Atlantic axed all its flights from London Gatwick to Los Angeles in America due to rising fuel prices.

And now the airline has warned of even more cancellations.

Eivind Roald, CEO of Norse Atlantic Airways, said to BBC Newsnight: “From our side we will continue flying from London Gatwick and from Athens and Rome this summer, we don’t have any plans to cancel more flights.

“When it comes to our competitors, I can’t really say, I assume you will see more cancellations coming, we often see it coming in short haul flights in Europe.

“The long haul flights are still there.”

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He also said that travellers “will see that things will be changed” including some companies’ “existence”.

The CEO then added that he was confident jet fuel prices would fall in six to nine months time.

Even though the airline hasn’t announced more cancellations yet, the London Gatwick to Los Angeles route was only introudced by the airline in 2023.

And at that time, it operated seven flights per week from London Gatwick to Los Angeles.

The route was due to re-start next month, but instead will be cancelled for the entire season until October.

As a result, Norse will only have four long-haul routes this summer, including London Gatwick to New York and London Gatwick to Orlando.

A number of other airlines have also made the decision to cancel some flights or increase prices.

For example, earlier this month KLM said it was axing 160 flights across Europe over the next month due to the fuel crisis.

Despite the airline not yet having a shortage of fuel, the cancellations will impact flights travelling to and from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands.

Lufthansa also announced that its subsidiary airline CityLine is stopping all operations due to both the Iran War and recent strike action.

The airline would fly to Frankfurt and Munich from the UK.

As for long haul flights, Virgin Atlantic had raised the price of flights.

Those now travelling in economy have to pay an extra £50, those in premium economy have to pay an extra £180 and those in business class will need to pay an additional £360.

In other flight news, a closed UK airport has revealed the latest details about being able to reopen as part of huge £193million project.

Plus, a UK travel company has gone bust with all holidays cancelled – but Brits won’t get any refunds.

A flight attendant has shared several plane safety tips that could make your next trip more comfortable – including the one item you should absolutely never wear

You could be picking up all sorts of germs by wearing the wrong clothes on a flight.

When travelling by plane, whether it’s for a work trip or holiday, you usually want to be as comfortable as possible. No matter how long your flight is, sitting in a cramped space surrounded by strangers isn’t ideal, so you normally want to make sure your outfit is something you can feel relaxed in for at least a few hours, if not longer.

But one flight attendant has said there’s one thing you should absolutely never wear on a plane, regardless of how comfortable you think it is. Charity Moore is a flight attendant who regularly posts travel tips on social media, and in a recent video, she shared several things she wishes more people did on flights.

Among her tips, Charity said there’s one thing you should absolutely never wear on a plane, as it puts your body in direct contact with the seats – which aren’t always the most hygienic things to be sitting on.

1. Wear the right clothes

Charity insisted you should never wear anything that exposes your legs on a plane, including shorts and skirts. She advocated for wearing trousers at all times, because she’s seen some “diabolical” things happen on plane seats that aren’t always cleaned as thoroughly as you might like.

She said: “I am letting you know, from a flight attendant, the amount of things I have seen on the seat. Wear pants. Shorts, skirts, dresses, absolutely not. Wear full pants. None of your skin should be touching that seat. I don’t care if you come on board and disinfect it. Nope, nope, nope. Wear full pants. Trust me, I have seen some diabolical things.”

2. Disinfect the seatbelts

The flight attendant also said that while she often sees passengers using antibacterial wipes on things like the tray table, she hardly ever sees anyone clean the seatbelt – which she believes is the most important part.

She explained: “You guys all come on board with your little Clorox wipes and your little disinfectants, and you start wiping everything down. That little tray table in front of you [and] the back of your seat. I don’t really get why you’re wiping the back of your seat, because if you’re wearing clothes, nothing really touches that.

“What you should be wiping that nobody wipes is that seatbelt. The metal part, because everybody touches it, but also you should be wiping the fabric part of the seatbelt, because everybody pulls on that. The amount of throw up, baby vomit, bodily fluids, liquids that have spilt, and random stuff that ends up on those seatbelts. Wipe them down, babe.”

3. Exercise proper toilet hygiene

Charity claimed that not enough passengers have proper toilet etiquette when using the bathroom on a plane. This includes washing your hands once you’ve done your business, making sure you flush the toilet, and even closing the door behind you once you’re finished.

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While these might seem like obvious things you would do after any toilet visit, whether it’s on a plane or not, the flight attendant insisted a large portion of passengers don’t do them.

She also said if you’ve taken your shoes off at your seat to make yourself more comfortable, you should not go to the toilet without putting your shoes back on.

The attendant noted: “It is never ever water on the floor in the lav. And your socks are like two big sponges.”

4. Bring food

Charity’s final piece of advice is to bring food with you. She said it’s a “huge misconception” that you can’t bring food through security, and encouraged people to bring snacks or even a fully prepared meal with them to help them survive their plane journey.

In the UK, food items and powders are allowed in your hand luggage, but may obstruct images on X-ray machines, so your bags might need to be checked again manually by security, which could cause you delays.

You are generally not allowed to bring liquid or gel-like foods such as soup, sauces, jams, and yoghurts in your hand luggage, and may not be able to bring certain fresh produce, like fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy, across some international borders, so always make sure you check the rules before you fly.

In most cases, you will be able to bring snack boxes with things like sweets, chocolate, and crisps onto a flight. You should usually avoid packing nuts into your snack box, as you may be asked not to open these if a passenger has an allergy.

A MAJOR train station in England has announced its closure over a busy bank holiday weekend.

Passengers are urged to plan their journeys ahead as the station will be shut.

One of the North West‘s busiest stations will be closed over the early May bank holiday.

Liverpool Lime Street station will stop its overground services on Sunday, May 3, and into the morning of Monday, May 4.

Engineers will be carrying out major upgrade works around the station during the closure.

Along with replacing outdated signalling infrastructure in the Edge Hill area, workers will be maintaining overhead power cables and track points.

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This means that overground lines in and out of Lime Street will be disrupted.

Paul Owen, Liverpool area director for Network Rail, said: “We would like to thank passengers for their patience while this vital work takes place.

“Replacing older signalling infrastructure with new equipment will reduce disruption on the railway and create smoother, more reliable journeys.”

Local Merseyrail trains will continue to run while other routes will be diverted or replaced by bus.

Travellers are advised to check with their train operator or on the National Rail Enquiries website for the latest information.

Passengers should allow extra time for travel and expect delays or changes to their journeys.